A "GHOST" airport in Spain that has yet to see a single passenger through its terminal will have its runway dug up because it does not meet regulations.

Castellon airport in the east of the country was opened last March after an estimated €150m was spent on its development. Less than a year later, and having failed to secure a licence to operate, the runway is to be torn up.

Spain's state agency for air security has found that its main strip is too narrow for planes to turn around, and will have to be widened to meet regulations.

It is the latest embarrassment in a saga that has come to symbolise the reckless public spending projects that have left Spain crippled with debt.

Regional officials were aware of the narrow runway problems within weeks of the airport opening but kept it quiet, Spain's daily newspaper 'El Pais' disclosed yesterday.

Last month, it emerged that €30m had been spent on publicity for the airport, despite the fact that it had failed to secure permits to receive air traffic.